String Trimmer Information

For tiny amounts of grass trimming, a string trimmer may be overkill. You can get quality hand shears, or a small 3.6-amp cordless shear like the Black & Decker GS500 3.6-volt Cordless Grass Shear (*Est. $30). Manual hand trimmers like the Fiskars 92146935 Shear Ease Grass Shears (*Est. $20) are also an option for small areas.

If you have a lot of edging to do with tough grass types, or are picky about a manicured lawn, you might prefer a dedicated edger. These machines look like mini lawn mowers and have metal blades instead of string. Prices range from $100 to $300. Some string trimmers have an available edging attachment.

The Ontario Service Safety Alliance has a one-page article about string-trimmer safety tips, "Using String Trimmers."

Louisiana State University also provides a more detailed safety guide, "String Trimmer Safety And Maintenance."

To understand more about string trimmers and two- and four-stroke engines, see the Wikipedia entry on string trimmers. This article also includes tips on using a trimmer efficiently and safely.

Lowes.com has a brief buyer's guide to string trimmers called "Choosing a String Trimmer."

John Kelsey of ThisOldHouse.com discusses how to use a string trimmer efficiently for various tasks, as well as choosing between gas, corded electric and cordless trimmers.

Landscape and Irrigation is a trade magazine for professional landscapers. In "Outdoor Power: Beware the Cheapie Trimmers and Edgers," Tom Bernosky talks about various types of string trimmers, without recommending any specific model or brand. You can access this article via a free trial membership to High Beam Research.

Several online forums discuss string trimmers. You can search current and archived discussions to learn more about specific brands and models or to troubleshoot string-trimmer problems. These forums are also a good place to ask a question, since many experienced gardeners and landscape professionals post there regularly.

LawnSite.com

HomeDiscussion.com

String trimmer manufacturers:

Black & Decker

Craftsman

Echo

Homelite (owned by TTI, Techtronic Industries)

Lehr

Poulan (owned by Husqvarna)

Ryobi (owned by TTI, Techtronic Industries)

Shindaiwa

Stihl

Toro

Troy-Bilt (owned by MTD)

Weed Eater (owned by Poulan/Husqvarna)

Worx (Positec Industrial)